UASIN GISHU, Kenya – Moi University has announced an indefinite closure due to a protracted strike by over 4,000 lecturers and workers, who have downed their tools for nearly a month over delayed salaries and unmet Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) terms.
In a statement, Vice Chancellor Professor Isaac Kosgey revealed that the university senate had decided to suspend all learning and teaching activities for the first semester of the 2024/25 academic year, citing the strike and rising student unrest as the main factors.
“All students across campuses must vacate university premises with immediate effect,” he directed.
International students were advised to coordinate with the dean of students for further instructions, while the VC assured that reopening dates would be communicated once operations are back on track.
“The university council and management are working to resume activities as soon as possible,” Kosgey added.
Despite union leaders from the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) calling off the strike last week, many workers have refused to return to work, insisting that their grievances remain unaddressed.
UASU branch deputy secretary Nyabuta Ojuki emphasized that none of their demands had been met despite a return-to-work agreement signed with the vice chancellors.
“We are still on strike because the management has failed to honor their promises,” Ojuki said.
Ojuki also raised concerns over the university’s pension scheme, claiming it had collapsed due to non-remittance of over KSh 5.5 billion deducted from workers’ salaries.
Additionally, over KSh 1.2 billion in deductions for bank loans have not been remitted, further deepening the crisis.
On Wednesday, striking workers marched through Eldoret to the Uasin Gishu County Assembly, where they presented their petition to Speaker Phillip Muigei and Members of County Assembly (MCAs).
Muigei acknowledged the workers’ plight and pledged to escalate their concerns to the national government.
“As an assembly, we may not have the capacity to address all the issues, but we will escalate what we cannot handle,” he said.
UASU chapter secretary Wekesa Busolo called on President William Ruto to intervene, warning that the university is on the verge of collapse due to management failures.
“There’s an urgent need for decisive action from the appointing authority before it’s too late,” Busolo urged.
The workers, led by UASU branch secretary Mary Chepkwemoi, threatened to escalate their protests to Nairobi, accusing authorities of ignoring their demands.
With no resolution in sight, the university remains paralyzed, leaving students and staff in limbo.
In a statement, Vice Chancellor Professor Isaac Kosgey revealed that the university senate had decided to suspend all learning and teaching activities for the first semester of the 2024/25 academic year, citing the strike and rising student unrest as the main factors.
“All students across campuses must vacate university premises with immediate effect,” he directed.
International students were advised to coordinate with the dean of students for further instructions, while the VC assured that reopening dates would be communicated once operations are back on track.
“The university council and management are working to resume activities as soon as possible,” Kosgey added.
Despite union leaders from the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) calling off the strike last week, many workers have refused to return to work, insisting that their grievances remain unaddressed.
UASU branch deputy secretary Nyabuta Ojuki emphasized that none of their demands had been met despite a return-to-work agreement signed with the vice chancellors.
“We are still on strike because the management has failed to honor their promises,” Ojuki said.
Ojuki also raised concerns over the university’s pension scheme, claiming it had collapsed due to non-remittance of over KSh 5.5 billion deducted from workers’ salaries.
Additionally, over KSh 1.2 billion in deductions for bank loans have not been remitted, further deepening the crisis.
On Wednesday, striking workers marched through Eldoret to the Uasin Gishu County Assembly, where they presented their petition to Speaker Phillip Muigei and Members of County Assembly (MCAs).
Muigei acknowledged the workers’ plight and pledged to escalate their concerns to the national government.
“As an assembly, we may not have the capacity to address all the issues, but we will escalate what we cannot handle,” he said.
UASU chapter secretary Wekesa Busolo called on President William Ruto to intervene, warning that the university is on the verge of collapse due to management failures.
“There’s an urgent need for decisive action from the appointing authority before it’s too late,” Busolo urged.
The workers, led by UASU branch secretary Mary Chepkwemoi, threatened to escalate their protests to Nairobi, accusing authorities of ignoring their demands.
With no resolution in sight, the university remains paralyzed, leaving students and staff in limbo.
